Mansour Laboratory: Michael K. Mansour, MD, PhD

About Us

The Mansour lab investigates the critical molecular mechanisms responsible for host immune responses to life-threatening fungal pathogens. Our studies focus on neutrophils, the first line of defense against bacteria and fungi, and the role of fungal carbohydrates in innate immunity. We also perform patient-oriented research by using predictive modeling to assess risk of fungal infection in susceptible patients. Together, these investigations provide the foundation for the development of cellular therapies for infectious diseases as well as improved vaccine strategies. We hope that our research will enhance our understanding of the innate immune mechanisms against fungal pathogens that exist in our everyday environment.

Images

Candida glabrata labeled with a viability dye (green) in order to fate trace during host immune cell interactions.

Candida glabrata ingested by macrophages. Live yeast are labeled in red, whereas killed yeast are in an acidified compartment labeled in blue/green.

Neutrophils (green) can phagocytose Candida albicans (red).

Publications

View a full list of the Mansour Lab publications on PubMed.

Select Publications

Mansour, M.K., Reedy, J.L., Tam, J.M., and Vyas, J.M. (2014). Macrophage Cryptococcus interactions: an update. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 8, 109-115.

Tam, J.M., Mansour, M.K., Khan, N.S., Seward, M., Puranam, S., Tanne, A., Sokolovska, A., Becker, C.E., Acharya, M., Baird, M.A., Choi, A.M., Davidson, M.W., Segal, B.H., Lacy-Hulbert, A., Stuart, L.M., Xavier, R.J., and Vyas, J.M. (2014). Dectin-1-dependent LC3 recruitment to phagosomes enhances fungicidal activity in macrophages. J Infect Dis 210, 1844-1854.

Mansour, M.K., Tam, J.M., Khan, N.S., Seward, M., Davids, P.J., Puranam, S., Sokolovska, A., Sykes, D.B., Dagher, Z., Becker, C., Tanne, A., Reedy, J.L., Stuart, L.M., and Vyas, J.M. (2013). Dectin-1 activation controls maturation of beta-1,3-glucan-containing phagosomes. J Biol Chem 288, 16043-16054.

Mitsuma, S.F., Mansour, M.K., Dekker, J.P., Kim, J., Rahman, M.Z., Tweed-Kent, A., and Schuetz, P. (2013). Promising new assays and technologies for the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. Clin Infect Dis 56, 996-1002.

Mansour, M.K., Tam, J.M., and Vyas, J.M. (2012). The cell biology of the innate immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1273, 78-84.

Tam, J.M., Mansour, M.K., Khan, N.S., Yoder, N.C., and Vyas, J.M. (2012). Use of fungal derived polysaccharide-conjugated particles to probe Dectin-1 responses in innate immunity. Integr Biol (Camb) 4, 220-227.

Tam, J.M., Castro, C.E., Heath, R.J., Mansour, M.K., Cardenas, M.L., Xavier, R.J., Lang, M.J., and Vyas, J.M. (2011). Use of an optical trap for study of host-pathogen interactions for dynamic live cell imaging. J Vis Exp.

Lab Members

Zeina Dagher, PhD
Staff Scientist

Paige Negoro
Research Technician

Michelle Martinelli
Undergraduate Student